The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1887-12-14

but the hecsssaries of life used and CON
stunned by all the people, the duty upon
which adds to the cost of living in every
home, should be greatly eheapened The
radical reduction OF the duties Imposed
upon raw material used In manufacturer
or its free importation, is, of course, an Inn.
portant factor in an effort 20 reduce the
price of thess necessaries; would not only
relieve them from the increased cost caused
by the tariff on such material, but tina man
ufactured product being thus cheapened.
that part of the tariff now laid upon such
product as a compensation to our nlanufac.
lures for the present price OF raw material
could be occasionally modified Snch re-
duction, or free importation, wonid serve
beside to largely reduce the revenue
It is not apparent how such change
can have any injurious effect upon
our manufacturers. On the contrary, it
would appear TO give them better chance
In foreign markets with the manufacturers
of other countries, who chsapsn their wares
by free material Thus our people might
have the opportunity of ex5eniin2 their
sales beyond the limit of home consumn-
ton, saving them the depression of inter
ruption in business and loss caused by a
giutted domestic market, AMI atforifn r
their employees more certain and staaiy
labor, with its resulting quiet and content
ment The question thus impsratively pre-
sented for solution should be approached in
a spirit higher than part,sanship and con-
sidered in the light OF that regard for patri-
otto duty which should characterize the
action OF those intrusted with the veal of a
coniiding people. But the obligation to de
clared party policy and principle is not
wanting to urge prompt and effective
action
Both of the great political parties now rem
resented IN the government have, by re-
peated and authorittve declarations con-
demned the condition OF our laws which per-
init the collection from the people of unnecss-
sary revenue, and have, in the most solaT,n
manner promised Its correction: aud neithe-
as citizens or partisians are our countrymen
in a mood to cond9ne the deliberate violation
OF these pledges. Our progress toward
wise conclusion will not be improved bv
dwelling upon the theories of protection and
free trade. This savors too much of bandv
ing epithets. Il is condition which CON
fronts US not theory. a re2ief from this
condition may involve slight reduction az
OF the advantages which we award our home
productions. But the entire withdra wal of
such advantages should not be Contemplated
The question Of frse trade Is absolutely ir.
relevant; and the persistent claim made In
certain quarters, that all efforts to relieve
the people from unjust and unnecessary
taxation, are schemes OF so-called free
traders, is mischievous and far removed
from any consideration for the public good.
The simple and plain duty which we owe
the people Is to reduce taxation to tho
necessary expenses OF an economical opera
ton OF tho government, and to restore to
the business of the country the money
which we hold in the treasury through the
pervcrsion OF governmental powers. These
things can AMI should be done with safety
TO all our iniuItriAs, without danger to TIL,
opportunity for Fomunerative labor which
our workingmen need, and with benefit to
them and all our people, by cheapening
their means OF existence and increasing the
measure of their comferts
The constitution provides that the presi.
dent shall, from time to time, give to the
congress information of thesstate of union
1t has been the custom of the executive in
compliance with this provision, to annually
exhibit to the congress, at the opening of
its session, the general condition of the
country. and to detail, with some particu-
larity the operations Of the different execu-
tive departments. It would be especially
agreeable to follow this course at tho pros
emit time, and TO call attention to the yaIua-
BILE accomplishments of these departments
during the last fiscal year. But am SO
much impressed wish the paramount i'm
portance OF the suhisct to which this COM
municntion has thus far been devoted, that
1 shall forego the addition OF any other
topic, and only urge upon your immediate
consideration tho '.sate Of the uuion,n as
shown in tho present condition OF our treas
ury and our general fiscal situation, upon
which every element of our safety and
prosperity depends.
The reports of the heads of departments,
which viii be submitted, contain full and
explicit Information touching the tran sac
ticns OF the business intrnstei to them, and
such recommendations relating to legisia-
tion in the public interests as they deem Al
visable. ask for these reports and recon-
rlendations the deliberate examination and
action of the legislative branch OF the gov
ernment There other subjects not en-
bracei in the departmental reports, de-
mEnding legislative Consideration, and
which should be glad to submit Some of
them, however. have been earnestly pre-
sentsd in previous messages. and rs to them
L beg leave to repeat as to prior recon-
nendations. AS the law makes no provision
for any report from tho department. of
state, brief history of the transactions of
that important department., together with
other matters, which it may hereafter be
deemed essential to commend to the atten-
tion of theAeongress, may furnish the occa-
sion for a future communication.
GROVER CLEVELAND.
WASHINGTON. Dscsmber Il